SUBSTITUTE Luke Hayden blasted Binfield back to top form with a hat-trick in their 3-0 win at Flackwell Heath on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

And then on Monday the 17-year-old forward scored another goal as they defeated Thame United 3-1.

Considering that both their opponents occupy top three places in the Hellenic League, it was an incredible, and unexpected, double for the Moles.

“Luke did fantastically well on Saturday,” said manager Roger Herridge. “He scared the living daylights out of Flackwell.”

Hayden, the latest youngster to emerge from the club’s Allied Counties squad, came off the bench after 31 minutes to replace the injured Matt Jones.

His opening two goals came in the 53rd and 57th minutes, both from chances set up by Sean Moore, with his third coming in the 84th minute.

With a massive boost in confidence, the Moles made a lively start against a Thame side who came to Hill Farm Lane knowing that a win would see them close the gap on leaders Thatcham to just one point with four games in hand.

Liam Ferdinand missed an early chance, while Hayden lost out in a one-on-one with keeper Henry Craven. But Craven was picking the ball out of his net on the half-hour mark when a slick move was finished off by Brad Pagliaroli.

Thame responded well and drew level on 39 minutes through a 25-yard drive from Lyton Goss.

Moles regained the lead after 61 minutes. Lewis Leonetti, who has been dual registered with Southern League side Fleet after Binfield had secured his Hellenic League registration from Thatcham, was brought down close to the goal-line.

Ferdinand’s penalty was saved, but he followed up to slam the rebound into the net. And then in stoppage time he sent Hayden away to add the third goal.

Binfield will be looking to maintain their revival at Brimscombe & Thrupp on Saturday (3pm) before going to Bracknell on Tuesday (7.45pm).